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S. Balaji , Indira Kalyanasundaram

Abstract

Efficacy of certain indigenous fumigants as anti-microbial agents was evaluated in the present work. Against three test organisms viz.,Bacillus subtilis Ehrenberg, Aspergillus niger V.Tiegh, Aspergillus flavus Link., efficacy of fumes of incense,Garlic,Turmeric,Neem,Vitex, Ficus and cowdung cake were tested.Spore carriers with known concentration of spores were subjected to fumes of indigenous fumigants.The spores exposed were tested for their viability. Viable count of experimental and control plates were compared and the survival percentage was calculated.Garlic fumes and Incense fumes were most effective against bacteria. Fumes of garlic, turmeric, cowdung cake, incense and Ficus exhibited powerful anti-fungal activity. The potential use of indigenous fumigants in sterilization and food grain preservation has been discussed.

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P. Jayaraman ¹, Indira Kalyanasundaram ²

Affiliations
1 Dept. Biotech., Vel Tech. High Tech. Dr.Rangarajan Dr.Sakunthala Engg. College, Avadi, Chennai-600 062, IN
2 CAS in Botany, Univ. Madras, Gunidy Campus, Chennai 600 025, IN

Abstract

Samples of crude- and refined- rice bran oil and de-oiled bran collected from mills and local market places were analysed for the presence of aflatoxins B₁ and the causal fungi. Out of 20 crude rice bran oil and 20 refined rice bran oil samples analysed, 15 and 6 samples, respectively were positive for aflatoxins B1. The aflatxoin B1 in the rice bran oil samples were in the range of trace to 956 ppb and averaged 618 ppb. Out of 30 samples analysed, 20 samples of de-oiled bran were positive and the toxin level ranged from 7 to 144 ppb with an average of 33 ppb. The storage fungi including toxigenic fungi present in the rice bran oil and de-oiled bran samples were Aspergillus glaucus, flavus, A. niger, A . nidulans, A. candidus, A. fumigatus, and Penicillium spp. and Gliocladium viride. In the rice bran oil samples, the fungi found were less in number (1 one to 14 cfu/g) with an average of 2 cfu/g. While, in the de-oiled bran, it was 1 to 130 X 10³ cfu/g with an average of 33 X 10³ cfu/g which include toxigenic A. flavus. About 60% of A. flavus from crude rice bran oil samples and 66.7% of A. flavus strains isolated from de-oiled bran samples were positive for aflatoxin production.

Keywords

Aflatoxins, Mycotoxins, Storage Fungi, aspergillus Flavus, Rice Bran Oil, De-oiled Rice Bran

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Indira Kalyanasundaram ¹

Affiliations
1 Centre for Advanced Study in Botany, University of Madras, Madras, IN

Abstract

The Kodavas are the original inhabitants of Kodagu at present a district of Karnataka State - located in the Western Ghats. Although Kodavas cannot be classified as tribals under the present conditions, they form a minor ethnic group that has apparently been living amidst the forests of this region over the last few thousand years. Their knowledge of the local plants is extensive, and some of it is recorded here, with a listing of 240 species. These include some 105 medicinal plants, 65 food plants, about 60 timber-yielding plants; some 40 species used in different ways in agriculture and animal husbandry; some 80 species having agricultural and domestic uses, including fibre and fuel plants, those used in cleaning and toiletry, etc; there is some overlapping of usages. Although many of the palnts are well-known, some of the usages are not widely known. Some of the plants merit further investigation and development.

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